Film scanning device (1)

ABSTRACT

This is a Film Scanning Device having an object to use the same CCD light sensor is used for pictures of strip film with a slid mount in order to delete any unnecessary work. The film scanning device includes body and a first opening located in the body in which a developed strip film can be inserted; a second opening located in the body in which the strip film inserted into the first opening can exit; and a third opening located in a front part of the body in which a slide mount can be inserting and pulled out following the direction vertical to the direction in which the strip film was moved; a photographic sensor to sense the frames of the strip film and/or the slid mount; and a projecting light which is used to project the pictures from the photographic sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims the benefitof co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/938,836 filed Aug. 27, 2001,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a film scanning device which use thesame lighting device for strip film and slid mount.

B. Description of Related Art

Prior Technique

A scanner is used to scan the pictures of strip film is concerning thelight which read and injected to the film thereafter. The projectivelight from the photo picture project to the strip film was converted toa image by a image lens and the picture image was read, then the imagewas treated by relevant necessary corresponding procedures, then thepicture data (image data signal) was sent to the picture operatingdevice.

Such a detail scanning device in the publication Number 224688 has beenshowed in the publication Number 224688 which was published in the KokaiPatent gazette which published in 1999.

A slide mount was inserted through the vertical direction of the movingdirection the strip film was moved, the first guide combined to the mainbody at the inserting position of slid mount was inserted from the thirdopening at the aforesaid main body, the second guide which located atthe inserting position of the strip film to set up the slid mountbetween it and the first guide.

A carrying actuator which was used to move the strip film automaticallynot only having the carrying function, furthermore, the carryingmechanism was assembled to combine with second guide, also the firstguide which located between the light path of picture from strip film orslide mount to the photographic sensor.

The advantages of the prior invention are of the possibilities of thefilm strip and slid mount, in which the pictures were took by the sameCCD light sensor when the film actuating mechanism. It can be moved by amount carrier which the plural slid mount and film strip are actuated bythe same roller through the up and down movable bar.

However, the complicate operation must be very careful because thecomponents disclosed in the aforesaid prior invention which the slidemount must be filled into the mount carrier when the pictures of slidmount are scanning.

OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION

In view of the foregoing and other known disadvantages of the prior art,The objects of present invention is to find the solution to resolve thedisadvantages which including complicate operation need for theconduction let it became possible to use the same CCD light sensor forboth strip film and light mount.

The Technique Used to Achieve the Purposes

The feature of present invention is shown in claim 1, a film scanningdevice that includes:

The first opening was located at the body which for inserting thedeveloped strip film;

The second opening was located at the body which is an exit for thestrip film which was inserted into the first opening;

The third opening was located in front of the body which is forinserting and pulling out the slide mount following the directionvertical to the direction which the strip film was moved;

A photographic sensor which took the pictures of the strip film wasinserted from the first opening and/or the slid mount was inserted fromthe third opening; and

A projecting light which was used to project the pictures from thephotographic sensor. Therefore, the strip film are inserted from thefirst opening under the same status and it is not necessary to fill anyspecial carrier inside it. It is not need any carrier which specialnecessary for the prior art after scanning. Otherwise, the slid mount isinserted from the third opening and not necessary to fill any specialcarrier inside it with the same reason as aforesaid.

Another feature of present invention is a film scanning device thatincludes:

The first opening was located at the body which for inserting thedeveloped strip film; the second opening was located at the body whichis an exit for the strip film which was inserted into the first opening;the third opening was located in front of the body which is forinserting and pulling out the slide mount following the directionvertical to the direction which the strip film was moved; a photographicsensor which took the pictures of the strip film was inserted from thefirst opening and/or the slid mount was inserted from the third opening;a projecting light which was used to project the pictures from thephotographic sensor.

Based on the constructs as above-mentioned, between the first guidelocated at the body and the inserted position that the slid mount, thesecond guide was set up, therefore, the components of strip film andslide mount are simplified. The same photographic sensor can be used forthe scanning in either side.

A further feature of present invention of the film scanning filmincludes: a carrying actuator which was used to move the strip filmautomatically having the carrying function; the first guide whichlocated between the light path of picture from strip film or slide mountto the photographic sensor.

Otherwise, the second guide is assembled to the body at the movable sideof carry mechanism of strip film and unified into one body. Also,because the first guide which located between the light path of picturefrom strip film or slide mount to the photographic sensor, and the firstguide is fixed material, the distance between the scanner havingphotographic sensor and film is getting small, the object of minimizingthe volume of the scanner is achieved.

The term, strip film is used in the text is same as a conventionalfilmstrip, called a strip film herein, normally used in conventionaluses. Usually, the strip film is a positive film, however, a negativefilm is within the context of present the invention and either can beused in the present examples. A strip film is used in the examples inpresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a peripheral view of a scanning device of the example ofpresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of cover, press plate and supporting plate ofthe scanning device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the front elevational view of the scanning device taken fromoutside the case;

FIG. 4 is the side elevational view of the scanning device;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing, with respect to the cover andthe press plate, a slid mount being inserted; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the cover and supporting plate anddepicting the three layers of cover, press plate and the supportingplate.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLES

The example first showed the whole device in the drawings, positive andnegative films are included in strip film (A), slide mount is showed inmount (B), both of them are readable by the same light device. It isvery easy to distinguish the carrying mechanism (A1) which includecarrying actuator of strip film (A), inserting system (B1) of slidemount (B), and scanning system (C).

The carrying actuator of carrying mechanism (A1) having a body which iscomposed of three layers, cover (1) is of an always horizon plate,pressed plate (2), and a supporter (3).

In two sides of the cover (1) The strip film (A) is move through thefirst opening (11) in its long side direction, the first light path (4)will be mentioned later is transited through light source and formed byaround the central portion of the second opening (12).

The length of light path (4) is equal to the sum of strip film (A) andslide mount (B), the width of strip film (a) is the difference theperforation subtracted the width, is about the same the width of slidemount (B) is the difference of bar subtracted the width.

Furthermore, the length of cover (1) is from the entrance of the firstopening (11) to the second opening, it is desirable 8 coma length of thestrip film (A). However, it is not restricted at this length, means anyproper length is available.

A press plate (2) is beneath adapting to the cover (1), it was made ofthin resin plate, and the above-mentioned first light (4) is located atits central portion in accordance with the size of the second light path(21).

The both sides of the second light path (21) having one pare of shaftbasis (22) which in the width direction of press plate (2). In order tosupport the two sides of shaft (23), the length of said shaft basis (22)is about the width of press pate (2).

The idling rollers (24) were embedded in the two sides of shaft (23),and a light lug is downward and beneath the press plate (2).

Although strip film (A) is carried from the first opening (11) of thecover (1) to inside the press plate (2), the idling rollers (24) areconnected to the upper part of the strip film (A).

One end of (25) in drawings is pressed downward to the middle part ofthe shaft (23), and the other end is fixed by a plate-form-spring to theproper position of the press plate (2).

There are four outward fossas or depressions (26) located at the secondlight path (21) on the surface of press plate (2). The lugs (15) arelugged from the bottom of the cover (1) in accordance with the fossas(26) on each corresponding position of fossas (26), so that the relevantposition in every direction, front, rear, left and right side can beconstantly maintained.

The bottom of the press plate (2) is contacted and fixed to supportingplate (3), and the central portion of supporting plate (3) having thefirst light (4) of cover (1) and the third light path (31) which thesize in accordance with the second light path (21).

The same matter with the shaft basis (22) of the press plate (2) areright bottom of the third light path (31) are name shaft basis (32), theactuating rollers (34) are embedded to shafts (33) at two sides of thethird light path (31). Therefore, the idling rollers (24) of the pressplate (2) are corresponding a up-down relation to the rollers (34).

The rear part of a pare of shafts (33) are slightly lugged outward fromthe rear part of the supporting plate (3), the carrying part (35) arecorresponding to each lug, and said carrying parts are of timing belt(36). One side of the pare of shaft (33) connected to the motor (37)which located at the reduced gear which located at the proper positionof the supporting plate (3). Accordingly, the rotating force istransmitted to the actuating roller (34) between the timing belt (36)and shaft (33). This is the carrying mechanism (G) having actuator inthe present example.

Otherwise, the spring (38) are fixed with the end way coil springs whichlocated at the four corners of the supporting plate (3). The springs(38) are fixed by the devices that are not shown in the drawings.

Parts (39) are located on the two ends of the supporting plate (3), tabhole are located at its front and back sides. Two inside ends of thecover (1) in this example, equivalent to the pare lug balances (13)downward and lugged from the inside of the second opening (12) and thefirst opening, that is able to maintain good relation between cover (1)and supporting plate (3).

The central line inside the supporting plate (3) are constantly directedto the long hand direction, the width of strip film (A) and the secondguide (40) of the strip film are about the same and lightly passedthrough it, and two end cutting are formed in two sides of the secondguide (40).

When press plate (2) is fixed by the cover (1), and together with thesupporting plate (3), the first opening (11) of the cover (1) and theinside part of the second opening (12), the first opening (11) and theinside in bottom of the second opening (12) are at the same horizonplate with the second guide (40).

D1 in FIG. 2 are used to recognize the exist of the strip film (A),through the sensor to determined the position of the strip film. Thelayout of the aforesaid sensor in present example, in which theinsertion of strip film (A) is detected by the sensor in the entranceside. (D2) having a sensor which is used to detect the location thestrip film (A) is. (D3) having a sensor which is used to detect the endthe strip film (A) was moved.

The inserting system (B1) of the slide mount is same as the strip filmsystem (A2), therefore, the name, symbol of the components of the stripfilm system (A2) are repeat to be use again.

50 in FIG. 2, the third opening of slid mount is located the rightcentral portion of the cover (1). Means, strip film (A) is carriedthrough the long hand direction of cover (1) and slid mount (B) isinserted from the direction that right vertical to the shaft line.

The width of the opening (50) is about the width of the slid mount (B),the first guide for slid mount to press plate (2) is located between theinside surface and press plate (2).

52 in FIG. 2 is used for confirm the insertion is complete when a stopslice is lugged upward to the back of the third opening (50) of pressplate (2), at the moment that the slid mount (B) is inserted into thefirst guide (51), the end of the slid mount (B) is connected to thefirst guide (52).

The components of scanning system (C) is not big difference from thedevice we use so far, therefore, it is shown by the FIG. 2. Projectivelight (62) is located downward between the end of photographic sensorwhich is locate the direction that the direction the cover (1) of theslid mount (B) is inserted. The picture sensor (60) is vibratory tofront and back direction, the light (62) and scanner (63) is locatedbetween strip film (A) and the slid mount (B) when scanning.

The Scanning Operation of Strip Film (A)

When the scanning of the strip film (A), one end of strip film (A) isinserted to the first opening ( 11) of the cover (1). The beginning endof strip film (A) is moved in via the carrying path (42) of supportingplate (3) and the inside surface of the press plate (3) from the firstopening (11), the insertion of said film (A) is detected by the entrancesensor (D1) of carrying path (42).

The signal of entrance sensor (D1) that motor (37) of the carryingmechanism (G) is started to turn and its rotating force through thetiming belt (36) to transmit to the shaft (33), actuating roller (34).Consequently, strip film (A) is moved to the exit between roller (34)and the idling roller (24) of the press plate (2).

The carrying is stop by the signal of location sensor (D2) when thestrip film (a) is positioned, means the first light path (4) of thecover (1), the second light path (21) of supporting plate (2) and thethird light path (31) are at the same position.

The scanning is conducted when the position of the strip film (a) is inaccordance with the two light paths (21), (31), the light from the lightsource (62) is transmitted through two light path (21), (31) and thestrip film (A).

The scanning of the coma of the whole strip film (A) is over so far. Theexit sensor (D3) is located at the supporting plate (3), the detectedsignal from the end of the strip film (A) is transmitted to the motor(37), The scanning of the strip film (A) is over because the motor (37)was stop working.

The operation was shown in FIG. 6, the partial thickness inside thesecond opening (12) and the first opening (11) of the cover (1), isembedded to the end cutting (41) of the carrying path (42), the rightposition relation between the cover (1) and press plate (2) ismaintained even the vibration is happened.

The carrying mechanism of strip film (A) is located at the second guidein the movable side and unified into one body. The first guide locatedat the way from the photographic sensor (60) of the picture of stripfilm (A) or slid mount (B) to the path. The distance of the scanner (63)of the photographic sensor (60) are minimized, therefore, the body ofthe device is getting smaller.

The Scanning Operation of the Slid Mount

Next will be the scanning of the slid mount (B) the slid mount (B) isconnected to the first guide (51) from the third opening (50).

As for the insertion of slid mount (B), the view from upper part of thefirst opening (11) of cover is able to judge the existence and the rightposition of the insertion, therefore, an identified sensor is not reallynecessary, it getting better of course.

The scanning is started automatically when the slid mount (B) is carriedto the location in accordance with the position of two light path (21)and (31). It is possible operated by man after the scanning is started.

Effect

Neither the strip film nor slid mount is need a special scanner device.The scanning is going at the insertion of operation from the first orthe second opening.

The same photographic sensor is used for scanning even the thickness ofthe strip film and slid mount is different. Therefore, the whole body ofpresent invention is getting small.

1. A film scanning device that includes: a body having a front portion,a first end portion and a second end portion, said body provided with afirst opening located at said first end portion of the body which is aninserting position for inserting a film, and provided with a secondopening located at said second end portion of the body which is an exitfor the strip film which was inserted into the first opening, said firstand second openings being linearly aligned so as to provide a straightthrough path for the movement of the strip film; and said body providedwith a third opening located in said front portion of the body which isan inserting position for inserting and pulling out a slide mount in adirection perpendicular to the direction which the strip film is moved;and a photographic sensor that can take pictures of a strip filminserted through the first opening or a slide mount inserted through thethird opening; and a projecting light to project an image from a stripfilm or a slide mount.
 2. The film scanning device as claimed in claim1, and further including: a first guide which is combined with said bodyand located at the inserting position of the slide mount from the thirdopening; and a second guide which is located at the inserting positionof the strip film to set up the slide mount between it and the firstguide.
 3. The film scanning device as claimed in claim 2, and furtherincluding: a carrying actuator which is used to move the strip filmautomatically; and wherein the first guide is located between the lightpath of an image from a strip film or a slide mount to the photographicsensor. position of the slid mount was guided from the third opening;The second guide which located at the inserting position of the stripfilm to set up the slid mount between it and the first guide.